Ring



SePt' 29 1953 A. BONAGURA 2,653,402

RING

Filed April 9, 1952 Patented Sept. 29, 1953 UNITED S'TATES PAT-ENT 'OFFI CE RING w Anthony Bonagura, New PaltZ, N. Y. pnlicafiqn nrilj9, 1952,Serial No. 281,364

1 ciim. (ci. 40-140) This invention relates to rings or the like to beworn as articles of jewelry and has for an object to provide a ringwhich can be readily made up with individual insignia such as names,letters or designs to suit the desires of the purchaser.

Another object is to provide a ring base adapted to receive a series ofelements carrying individual letters or the like which are assembled andattached to the base in a desired sequence.

Another object is to provide a ring of the above type having removableinsignia.

Another object is to provide a ring of the above type which is neat andpleasing in appearance.

Another object is to provide a ring having novel and improved featuresof construction.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the nature of theinvention is more fully disclosed.

In accordance with the present invention my ring comprises a bandcarrying a track, such as an annular channel, into which the individualelements are adapted to be inserted in any selected sequence. Theelements slide around the track and suitable blanks are inserted, ifnecessary, to fill the track completely, the final blank being securedby suitable means, such as a screw. When so assembled and secured thering has the appearance of a unitary, preformed structure carrying theselected insignia, for example Tim- Sophie." However, since the ring iseasily assembled it is inexpensive as compared to a ring which vis castor inscribed individually.

The track and insignia can take various forms as will be apparent fromthe following description, taken in connection with the drawings inwhich specific embodiments have been set forth for purposes ofillustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ring embodying the invention and madeup with the design Tim- Sophie;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective of the back of the ring showing thelooking element in place;

Fig. 3 is a partial section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view showing the locking element and a portion ofthe ring channel;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one element adapted to be inserted inthe ring channel;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are partial perspectve views 2 of' a ringillustratingother forms 'of replaceable elements.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the invention is shown inFigs. 1 to 7 as applied to a ring comprising an annular base |0 having asmooth inner surface and a pair of outer flanges |2, |3 forming anannular channel l4 therebetween. The sides |5, |6 of the flanges 12,. ISdefining the channel |4 are undercut to receive and secure theindividual elements l'l, to be de-- scribed. The ring is also formedwith a trans-A verse slot 18 extending across the flanges |2, |3f toprovide clearance for the insertion of the various elements into thechannel |4.

Each element l'l comprises a base 20 (Fgs. 3, 5- and 6) having flaredside walls 2|, 22 to fit in the channel [4 between the undercut sides|5, 16' of the flanges l2, E3. The end walls 23, 24 of the base 20 areinclined as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 to provide clearance and to insure'atight jointat the outer surface between elements. The elements Il areshown as carrying raised letters. The letters or other characters may,however, be' recessed or inlaid as desired. The elements are of variouswidths depending upon the configuration of the letters or insigniacarried thereby.

The proper elements are selected and inserted in the channel [4. Thechannel is then filled out by blanks 28 having the shape of the bases 20above described, but carrying no insignia. When the entire channel isfilled the elements and blanks are locked in place by a looking element29 which fits in and fills the transverse slot |8 and is secured by ascrew 30 which is inserted from the inside of the ring although thelooking element 29 may be secured in any desired manner, as bysoldering. The outer surfaces 3|, 32 of the flanges E2, [3 are shown asfiush with the outer surfaces of the bases 20 of the elements il to givea neat appearance to the completed ring. The surfaces 3|, 32 may howeverbe raised if desired or they may be ornamented as by scrolls. Theflanges may also be of different widths so that the channel le becomesofi center with respect to the ring base.

The embodiment of Fig. 8 is similar to that above described except thatthe element I'Ia of Fig. 8 is provided with a top flange 40 whichextends beyond the base 20 over the flanges |2, l3 and about flush withthe sides of the ring.

In Fig. 9 the channel 14 is replaced by a tongue 4| and the elementsl'lb are provided with channels 42 which receive the tongue 4 l Thetongue 4| is formed with slots 43 to permit assembly of the elementsl'lb.

n Fig. '10 the elements l'lc are formed with side fianges 45 andinturned bottom flanges 46 which slide in annular grooves 41 in the ringbase lUc. The ring base lc is provided with slots 48 to permit assemblyof the elements. The elements l'lb and l'lc of Figs. 9 and 10 are locked-in place by looking elements not shown which are secured by screws tothe ring base and fit in and fill the slots 43 and 48 respectively.

The ring is suitable for troth or wedding rings, also for novelty rings.The invention may also be applied to other bands, such as ear rings orbracelets.

What is claimed is:

An article of Jewelry comprisinga rigid annular base member carrying apair of fianges in fixed spaced relation to form an annular channeltherebetween, a set of insignia carrying elements having bases slidingin said channel, said channel and said bases being dovetailed to holdsaid 20 elements to said base member, a slot lin said flanges to receivesaid elements during assembly,

4 and a looking element fitting in said slot and secured to said basemember to lock said elements in place, the bases of said elements beingformed With tapered side walls to allow the outer edges of adjacentelements to come into close contact.

ANTI-IONY BONAGURA.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 205,151 Tatham June 18, 1878 322,259 Connelly July 14, 1885934,381 Bailey Sept. 14, 1909 1243,393 Farnham Oct. 16, 1917 1,428390lMoore Sept. 5, 1922 1,451,986 Kilpatrick Apr. 17, 1923 2,023,519 DurrettDec. 10, 1935 2,168,490 Moss Aug. 8, 1939 2,253,343 Nalick Aug. 19, 19412,587,'796 Whitehouse Mar. 4, 1952

